One-handed interventions/strategies

Upper body dressing: donning

• position shirt on lap face down, bottom of the shirt closest to you

• start from the bottom of the shirt, use strong arm to start threading weaker arm into the correct sleeve; can lean forward to swing arm away from torso

• pull sleeve up the weaker arm to elbows and rest arm against torso so sleeve stays in place

• thread stronger arm through, gather collar and pull overhead

• pull down on bottom of shirt, adjust accordingly

upper body dressing: doffing

• reach behind neck with stronger arm to gather the back of the t-shirt

• pull shirt overhead, use stronger arm to take weaker arm out of sleeve

• remove stronger arm from sleeve

Lower body dressing

• sit in chair with backrest, place strong leg directly in front of body with foot flat on floor

• cross weak leg over strong leg, slip pant leg over weak foot and above knee

• uncross legs, put strong leg up as far as possible

• if able to stand, pull up pants and close fastener, have walker or other device close for balance

• to remove, work pants down over hips while sitting by weight shifting and pulling, strand if able to let pants drop, sit again to remove strong leg from pants, cross weak leg over and remove pants

bathing

• can use pump action soap, automatic dispensers, squeezy shower gel on a hook, soap mitt

• non slip mat, grab bars, shower seat

• long handled back brush

• can place was cloth/towel with sloap across the side of bath or knee and rub functioning arm against it to wash

toileting

• position toilet paper near functional arm if possible

• toilet paper tolls with flaps help with tearing, prep toilet paper before sitting

• box of tissues or unscented wipes may be easier to access

grooming

• toothpaste dispenser or pump action

• squeeze toothpaste into mouth then brush

• electric toothbrush

• sit down to brush

• long handled hairbrush, hairdryer clamps, lightweight hairdryer, one-up hair tie, one-handed nail clippers, suction nail brush, weighted emery boards

eating

non-slip mats, raised lips on bowls/plates, plate guards, adapted cutlery